Method for levelling hair colour

ABSTRACT

A method levels hair colour, especially lighter coloured hair or including lightened streaks or bleached streaks or bleached 0as a whole and after certain period of time contrast—difference in colour—between the re-growth and formerly lightened parts is clearly visible. The method comprises at least two parts wherein one part being the part not closer to scalp which is artificially colour changed to a lighter colour by means of lightening and/or colouring and/or bleaching than the other part closer to scalp which is preferably undamaged and has its natural colour, wherein hair is optionally shampooed and optionally towel dried and the part directly at the scalp, preferably undamaged and preferably has its natural colour, is applied a composition resulting from mixing two compositions, A and B, prior to application.

The present invention relates to a method of levelling hair colour,especially lighter coloured hair or including lightened streaks orbleached streaks or bleached as a whole and after certain period of timecontrast—difference in colour—between the re-growth and formerlylightened parts is clearly visible.

Making streaks, lightening and bleaching are commonly used hair dressingpractices. The aim of such hair dressing services is to get lightercoloured hair parts, or colouring hair to a lighter shade and finallybleaching hair—taking away hair colour as a whole—in order to giveattractive appearance. In practice, immediately after such service,consumers' hair has very attractive appearance and naturalness, but thislasts only for a limited period of time because of unattractive contrastbetween the re-growth and lighter coloured and/or lightened parts bymeans of bleaching becomes clearly visible. This is especially problemwhen the uncoloured natural hair is considerably darker, i.e. re-growthhas a considerably darker colour than the lighter coloured parts. Colourdifference does reduce attractiveness and naturalness and it is highlydesirable to give hair attractive colour appearance again withoutextensive additional chemical treatments. Especially, since suchcorrection is often needed in a relatively short period of time afterprevious chemical treatment, the corrective treatment must not take along time, preferably must easily be combinable with other type of hairdressing services, such as and preferably not involving any furtherchemical treatment. In other words, the corrective treatment should notcause any further damage to the hair or the damage caused by suchservice should be negligible compared to the damage caused by theprevious colouring and/or bleaching.

After a long discussion with hair dressers and the end-user groups, theneeds have been clearly identified of such a service. On these bases,various ways have been practiced and surprisingly found out that alevelling service combined with any hair care service is especiallysuited and it is easily applicable in any hair dressing salons.

It has further been identified that with the existing products and/orcompositions, might be thought suitable for levelling hair colour, causeoften dermatological incompatibilities with scalp such as itchiness,redness and scaling reported by volunteers.

Therefore, present invention starts from the problems of effective andeasy applicable levelling service wherein the compositions and/ormixtures used for this purpose are mild to skin and do not cause anydermatological incompatibilities.

The inventors of the present invention have surprisingly found out thatan aqueous composition resulting from mixing two compositions A and Bwherein A is an acidic composition and comprises at least one oxidizingagent and B is an alkaline composition, applied onto hair as foam from anon-aerosol foamer vessel is perfectly suited for levelling hair colour.It as observed that the application is much easier, quicker, more even,and therefore the levelling effect is much more homogeneous compared tolevelling effect achieved using bowl and brush application method.

Thus, the object of the present invention is a method of levellingcolour of hair comprising at least two parts wherein one part being thepart not closer to scalp which is artificially colour changed to alighter colour by means of lightening and/or colouring and/or bleachingthan the other part closer to scalp which is preferably undamaged andhas its natural colour, wherein hair is optionally shampooed andoptionally towel dried and the part directly at the scalp, preferablyundamaged and preferably having its natural colour, is applied acomposition resulting from mixing two compositions, A and B, prior toapplication, compositions A is an aqueous composition and comprises atleast one oxidizing agent and has an acidic pH, preferably between 2 and5 and composition B is an aqueous alkaline composition having a pHbetween 8 and 12, wherein composition A and/or B comprises at least onesurfactant selected from non-ionic, anionic, amphoteric, cationic orcationizable ones, form a non-aerosol foamer vessel in the form of afoam and processed for up to 10 min, preferably between 1 and 8 min,more preferably between 2 and 7 min and most preferably between 2 and 5min (all values are included) at a temperature between 20 and 45° C.,preferably at an ambient temperature and rinsed off from hair and hairis optionally dried.

Further object of the present invention is to use of the above methodfor levelling hair colour.

With the term “levelling” it is meant that hair colour is made moreuniform, if not equal, among the parts, preferably between two parts,having different colours wherein one part is artificially colour changedto a lighter colour than its natural colour by means of colouring and/orlightening and/or bleaching either as a whole or only in streaks whichis not closer to the scalp and the other part which is closer to thescalp and being undamaged and having darker and preferably naturalcolour than the remaining part of the hair.

With the phrase “being not closer to the scalp” it is meant the part ofhair towards to the tips.

With the phrase “being closer to the scalp” it is meant the hair thathas grown since the previous colouration (re-growth) and it is betweenscalp and colour changed part.

It should be noted that the method of the present invention is certainlysuitable for levelling colour of sun-lightened hair, especiallyseasonally, and/or age-darkened hair as well.

Composition B comprises at least one alkalizing agent. Suitable ones areammonia (including ammonium hydroxide), carbonate and bicarbonate saltsand a substituted amine compound according to general formula

R₁R₂R₃N

wherein R₁, R₂ and R₃ are same or different H, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆monohydroxyalkyl or C₂-C₆ polyhydroxyalkyl with the condition that atleast one of R₁, R₂ and R₃ is a mono or polyhydroxyalkyl.

Suitable alkanolamines according to the general formula above aremonoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, monoethanolmethylamine, monoethanoldimethylamine, di-ethanolmethylamine,monoethanolethylamine, monoethanoldiethylamine, diethanolethylamine,monoethanolpropylamine, monoethanoldipropylamine, diethanolpropylamine,monoethanolbutylamine and diethanolbutylamine.

Preferred are monoethanolamine, diethanolamine and triethanolamine. Themost preferred is monoethanolamine.

Concentration of the ammonia or the amine compound according to thegeneral formula above is dependent on the concentration of the fattyacid and also dependent on the alkalinity value targeted. In general itvaries between 1 and 20%, preferably 1 and 15, more preferably 1 and12.5 and most preferably 1 to 10% by weight calculated to the total ofcomposition B.

Composition A and/or B comprises one or more surfactants selected fromnon-ionic, anionic, amphoteric and cationic or cationizable ones.Concentration of one or more surfactants is in the range between 0.5 and15%, preferably between 1 and 12.5% and more preferably between 1 and10% and most preferably between 2 and 7.5% by weight calculated to totalof composition A or B.

Suitable non-ionic surfactants are alkyl polyglucosides of the generalformula

R₄—O—(R₅O)_(n)O—Z_(x)

wherein R₄ is an alkyl group with 8 to 18 carbon atoms, R₅ is anethylene or propylene group, Z is a saccharide group with 5 to 6 carbonatoms, n is a number from 0 to 10 and x is a number between 1 and 5.Examples are decyl glucoside, carpylyl glucoside, ceteary glucoside,cocoyl ethyl glucoside, lauryl glucoside, myristyl glucoside and cocoglucoside. Preferred are decyl glucoside and coco glucoside which arecommericially available with the trade name Plantacare from the companyCognis.

Further non-ionic surfactants suitable are long-chain fatty acid mono-and dialkanolamides according to the general structure

wherein R₆ is an alkyl chain which may be saturated or unsaturated,straight or branched, substituted or unsubstituted with a length of 8 to22 C atoms, preferably 10 to 18 and more preferably 12 to 18 C atoms, R₇and R₈ are same or different H, C₁ to C₄ alkyl or hydroxyl alkyl,preferably C₂ hydroxy alkyl with the condition that at least one of theR₇ and R₈ is not H.

Suitable non-limiting examples are behenoyl monoethanolamide, cocomonoethanolamide, isostearoyl monoethanolamide, lauroylmonoethanolamide, myristoyl monoethanolamide, oleoyl monoethanolamide,ricinoleoyl monoethanolamide, stearoyl monoethanolamide, behenoyldiethanolamide, caproyl diethanolamide, cocoyl diethanolamide,isostearoyl diethanolamide, lauroyl diethanolamide, lineloylmonoethanolamide, myristoyl monoethanolamide, oleoyl monoethanolamide,palmitoyl diethanolamide, ricinoleoyl monoethanolamide and stearoylmonoethanolamide,

Further additionally useful non-ionic surfactants are, for example, thevarious sorbitan esters, such as polyethylene glycol sorbitan stearicacid ester, fatty acid polyglycol esters or poly-condensates ofethyleneoxide and propyleneoxide, as they are on the market, forexample, under the trade name “Pluronics®”.

Another type of nonionic surfactants and the preferred ones areC₁₀-C₂₂-fatty alcohol ethoxylates. Especially suited are C₁₀-C₂₂-fattyalcohol ethers with the average degree of ethoxylation between 1 and 25,preferably 2 and 20, more preferably 2 to 10. Suitable examples areoleth-2, oleth-3, oleth-4, oleth-5, oleth-6, oleth-7, oleth-8, oleth-9,oleth-10, oleth-11, oleth-12, oleth-15, oleth-16, oleth-20, oleth-25,laureth-2, laureth-3, laureth-4, laureth-5, laureth-6, laureth-7,laureth-8, laureth-9, laureth-10, laureth-11, laureth-12, laureth-13,laureth-15, laureth-16, laureth-20, laureth-25, ceteth-10, ceteth-12,ceteth-14, ceteth-15, ceteth-16, ceteth-17, ceteth-20, ceteth-25,cetoleth-10, cetoleth-12, cetoleth-14, cetoleth-15, cetoleth-16,cetoleth-17, cetoleth-20, cetoleth-25, ceteareth-10, ceteareth-12,ceteareth-14, ceteareth-15, ceteareth-16, ceteareth-18, ceteareth-20,ceteareth-22, ceteareth-25, isosteareth-10, isosteareth-12,isosteareth-15, isosteareth-20, isosteareth-22, isosteareth-25,steareth-10, steareth-11, steareth-14, steareth-15, steareth-16,steareth-20, and steareth-25.

Further suitable and preferred non-ionic surfactants are glyceryl fattyacid esters according to the general formula

wherein R₉ and R₁₀ are same or different H, or a fatty acid group whichmay be saturated or unsaturated, branched or straight, substituted orunsubstituted with a C number between 10 and 22 with the condition atleast one of the R₉ and R₁₀ is a fatty acyl group. The esters accordingthe above general structure has preferably C number between 10 and 18and more preferably 12 and 18.

Most preferred glyceryl fatty acid esters are glyceryl stearate andglyceryl distearate.

Further non-ionic surfactants within the meaning of the presentinvention are polyalkyleneglycol ether of fatty acid glyceride orpartial glyceride with at least 20 polyalkylene units, especially with20 to 150, more preferably 20 to 100, most preferably 30 to 75polyethyleneglycol units. Examples to those are PEG-30 hydrogenatedcastor oil, PEG-35 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-40 hydrogenated castoroil, PEG-45 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-50 hydrogenated castor oil,PEG-55 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-60 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-65hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-80 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-100hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-200 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-35 castoroil, PEG-50 castor oil, PEG-55 castor oil, PEG-60 castor oil, PEG-80castor oil, PEG-100 castor oil. Additional examples of similar compoundscan be found in the cosmetic ingredient dictionaries and cosmetictextbooks.

Further suitable non-ionic surfactants within the meaning of presentinvention are glycol fatty acid esters according to the generalstructure

wherein R₁₁ is a saturated or unsaturated, branched or straight,substituted or unsubstituted alkyl with a 9 to 21C atoms and R₁₂ is H ora saturated or unsaturated, branched or straight, substituted orunsubstituted acyl with 10 to 22C atoms.

Suitable non-limiting examples are glycol cetearate, glycol dibehenate,glycol dilaurate, glycol dioleate, glycol stearate, glycol distearate,glycol oleate, glycol palmitate, glycol ricinoleate, and glycol stearateSE. Most preferred are glycol stearate SE, glycol stearate and glycoldistearate.

Further suitable non-ionic surfactants are non-ionic siliconesurfactants. Non-limiting suitable examples are PEG/PPG 3/10dimethicone, PEG/PPG 4/12 dimethicone, PEG/PPG 6/4 dimethicone, PEG/PPG6/11dimethicone, PEG/PPG 8/14 dimethicone, PEG/PPG 8/26 dimethicone,PEG/PPG 12/16 dimethicone, PEG/PPG 12/18 dimethicone, PEG/PPG 15/15dimethicone, PEG/PPG 17/18 dimethicone, PEG/PPG 18/12 dimethicone,PEG/PPG 18/18 dimethicone, PEG/PPG 19/19 dimethicone, PEG/PPG 15/20dimethicone, PEG/PPG 20/20 dimethicone, PEG/PPG 20/23 dimethicone,PEG/PPG 20/29 dimethicone, PEG/PPG 22/23 dimethicone, PEG/PPG 22/24dimethicone, PEG/PPG 25/25 dimethicone, PEG/PPG 27/27 dimethicone,PEG/PPG 20/29 dimethicone and PEG/PPG 20/29 dimethicone.

Among the non-ionic surfactants mentioned above alkyl polygulcosides,fatty alcohol ethoxylates, fatty acid mono and dialkanolamides and theirmixtures at any weight ratio are the most preferred ones.

In a preferred form of the present invention, composition A and/or Bcomprises at least one fatty alcohol ethoxylate, at least one alkylpolyglucoside and at least one, fatty acid mono or dialkanolamide at anyweight ratio. In a further preferred embodiment the surfactants arecontained at a weight ratio of fatty alcohol ethoxylate:alkylpolyglucoside:fatty acid mono or dialkanolamide between 0.1:1:0.1 and1:1:0.5, and preferably between 0.2:1:0.2 and 0.75:1:0.5.

In a further preferred embodiment, additionally composition A and/or Bcomprises at least one non-ionic silicone surfactant.

Nonlimiting suitable examples of anionic surfactants are the sulfate,sulfonate, carboxylate and alkyl phosphate type, especially, of course,those customarily used C₁₀-C₁₈-alkyl sulfates, and in particular therespective ether sulfates, for example, C₁₂-C₁₄-alkyl ether sulfate,lauryl ether sulfate, especially with 1 to 4 ethylene oxide groups inthe molecule, monoglyceride (ether) sulfates, fatty acid amide sulfatesobtained by ethoxylation and subsequent sulfatation of fatty acidalkanolamides, and the alkali salts thereof, as well as the salts oflong-chain mono- and dialkyl phosphates and their salts.

Particular reference is made to the fatty alcohol ether sulfates of thegeneral structure

R₁₄(OCH₂CH₂)_(n)OSO₃M

Wherein R₁₄ is a saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched,substituted or unsubstituted alkyl chain with 10 to 18C atoms, n is from1 to 5 and M is a cation, preferably ammonium, sodium or potassium.

Suitable examples are ammonium capryleth sulphate, ammonium C12-15pareth sulphate, ammonium laureth sulphate, ammonium laureth-5 sulphate,ammonium myreth sulphate, DEA C12-13 pareth-3 sulphate, DEA laurethsulphate, DEA myreth sulphate, diethylamine laureth sulphate, magnesiumcoceth sulphate, magnesium laureth sulphate, magnesium laureth-5sulphate, magnesium myreth sulphate, magnesium oleth sulphate, MEAlaureth sulphate, MIPA C12-15 pareth sulphate, MIPA laureth sulphate,sodium coceth sulphate, sodium C9-15 pareth-3 sulphate, sodium C10-15pareth-3 sulphate, sodium C12-16 pareth-2 sulphate, sodium C12-13 parethsulphate, sodium C12-14 pareth-3 sulphate, sodium C12-15 parethsulphate, sodium C12-15 pareth-3 sulphate, sodium C13-15 pareth-3sulphate, sodium doceth sulphate, sodium laneth sulphate, sodium laurethsulphate, sodium laureth-5 sulphate, sodium myreth sulphate, sodiumoleth sulphate, TEA laureth sulphate, TEA laneth sulphate and TIPAlaureth sulphate.

Among the anionic alkyl ether sulphate surfactants sodium laurethsulphate and its magnesium, TEA, MIPA salts are preferred.

Further anionic surfactants of the carboxylate type are alkyl polyethercarboxylic acids and the salts thereof of the formula

R₁₅—(C₂H₄O)_(n)—O—CH₂COOX,

wherein R₁₅ is a C₈-C₂₀-alkyl group, preferably a C₁₂-C₁₄-alkyl group, nis a number from 1 to 20, preferably 2 to 17, and X is H or preferably acation of the group sodium, potassium, magnesium and ammonium, which canoptionally be hydroxyalkyl-substituted, as well as alkyl amido polyethercarboxylic acids of the general formula

wherein R₁₅ and X have the above meanings, and n is in particular anumber from 1 to 10, preferably 2.5 to 5.

Further suitable anionic surfactants are also C₈-C₂₂-acylaminocarboxylic acids or the water-soluble salts thereof. Suitable onesare N-lauroyl glutamate, in particular as sodium salt, as well as, forexample, N-lauroyl sarcosinate, N—C₁₂-C₁₈-acyl asparaginic acid,N-myristoyl sarcosinate, N-oleoyl sarcosinate, N-lauroyl methylalanine,N-lauroyl lysine and N-lauroyl aminopropyl glycine, preferably in formof the water-soluble alkali or ammonium, in particular the sodium saltsthereof, preferably in admixture with the above-named anionicsurfactants.

Among the anionic surfactants most preferred are alkyl sulfates and/oralkyl ether sulfates and among them sodium lauryl or laureth sulfatesand their mixtures are most preferred.

Suitable amphoteric surfactants are in particular the various knownbetaines such as alkyl betaines, fatty acid amidoalkyl betaines andsulfobetaines, for example, lauryl hydroxysulfobetaine; long-chain alkylamino acids, such as cocoaminoacetate, cocoaminopropionate and sodiumcocoamphopropionate and -acetate have also proven suitable.

In detail, it is possible to use betaines of the structure

wherein R₁₆ is a C₈-C₁₈-alkyl group and n is 1 to 3;

-   sulfobetaines of the structure

wherein R₁₆ and n are same as above;

-   and amidoalkyl betaines of the structure

wherein R₁₆ and n are same as above.

Suitable nonlimiting examples are almondamidopropyl betaine,apricotamidopropyl betaine, avocadoamidopropyl betaine,babasuamidopropyl betaine, behenamidopropyl betaine, cocamidopropylbetaine, lauramidopropyl betaine, myristylamidopropyl betaine,oleamidopropyl betaine, olivamidopropyl betaine, palmamidopropylbetaine, palmitamidopropyl betaine, ricinoleamidopropyl betaine,sesamamidopropyl betaine, soyamidopropyl betaine, stearamidopropylbetaine, behenyl betaine, cetyl betaine, myristyl betaine, laurylbetaine, coco betaine, decyl betaine, oleyl betaine, stearyl betaine,tallow betaine, cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, coco hydroxysultaine,coco sultaine, lauramidopropyl hydroxysultaine, lauryl hydroxysultaine,myristamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, oleamidopropyl hydroxysultaine andlauryl sultaine

Preferred amphoteric surfactants are of betaine types such as cocobetaine and cocoylamidpropyl betaine.

In especially preferred from of the present invention, composition Aand/or B comprise at least one non-ionic surfactant, preferably alkylpolyglucoside type, at least one anionic surfactant, preferably alkylether sulphate and at least one amphoteric surfactant, preferably alkylbetaine and/or alkyl amidoalkylbetaine type.

Composition A and/or B comprise one or more cationic and/or cationizablesurfactants with the general formula

R₁₇-A-R₁₈—B

wherein R₁₇ is a saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched alkylgroup with 8 to 24C atoms, R₁₈ is a straight or branched alkyl groupwith 1 to 4C atoms, A is a group selected from O,

and B is selected from

wherein R₁₉ and R₂₀ are the same or different is H or an alkyl with 1 to4C atoms, hydroxyl alkyl with 1 to 4C atoms and di hydroxyl alkyl with 2to 4C atoms,

R₂₁, and R₂₂ are the same or different, an alkyl with 1 to 4C atoms,hydroxyl alkyl with 1 to 4C atoms and di hydroxyl alkyl with 2 to 4Catoms, R₂₃ is an alkyl with 1 to 4C atoms, hydroxyl alkyl with 1 to 4Catoms or di hydroxyl alkyl with 2 to 4C atoms and

—R₁₈-A-R₁₇

wherein R₁₇, A and R₁₈ have the above meaning and X is chloride,bromide, methosulfate,

-   or-   a quaternary ammonium surfactant according to the general formula

where R2₄ is a saturated or unsaturated, branched or non-branched alkylchain with 8-24C atoms and R₂₅ is unsaturated or saturated, branched ornon-branched alkyl chain with 1-24C atoms and R₂₆ and R₂₇ are loweralkyl chain with 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may be substituted with oneor more hydroxyl groups, and X is anion such as chloride, bromide,methosulfate.

Non-limiting suitable examples are stearyloxypropyl amine,palmityloxypropyl amine, stearyloxypropyldimethyl amine,stearyloxypropyldiethyl amine, stearyloxyethylyldimethyl amine,stearyloxyethyl amine, myristyloxypropyl amine,myristyloxypropyldimethyl amine, palmitamidopropyl amine,palmitamidopropyl methylamine, palmitamidopropyl diethylamine,palmitamidopropyl dibutylamine, palmitamidopropyl buylamine,palmitamidopropyl dipropylamine, palmitamidopropyl propylamine,palmitamidopropyl dihydroxyethylamine, palmitamidopropylhydroxyethylamine, palmitamidopropyl dihydroxypropylamine,palmitamidopropyl hydroxypropylamine, lauramidopropyl amine,lauramidopropyl methylamine, lauramidopropyl diethylamine,lauramidopropyl dibutylamine, lauramidopropyl buylamine, lauramidopropyldipropylamine, lauramidopropyl propylamine, lauramidopropyldihydroxyethylamine, lauramidopropyl hydroxyethylamine, lauramidopropyldihydroxypropylamine, lauramidopropyl hydroxypropylamine,stearamidopropyl amine, stearamidopropyl methylamine, stearamidopropyldiethylamine, stearamidopropyl dibutylamine, stearamidopropylbutylamine, stearamidopropyl dipropylamine, behenamidopropylpropylamine, behenamidopropyl dihydroxyethylamine, behenamidopropylhydroxyethylamine, behenamidopropyl dihydroxypropylamine,behenamidopropyl hydroxypropylamine, behenamidopropyl amine,behenamidopropyl methylamine, behenamidopropyl diethylamine,behenamidopropyl dibutylamine, behenamidopropyl butylamine,behenamidopropyl dipropylamine, behenamidopropyl propylamine,behenamidopropyl dihydroxyethylamine, behenamidopropylhydroxyethylamine, behenamidopropyl dihydroxypropylamine,behenamidopropyl hydroxypropylamine, dipalmitamidopropyl methylamine,dipalmitamidopropyl ethylamine, dipalmitamidopropyl butylamine,dipalmitamidopropyl propylamine, dipalmitamidopropyl hydroxyethylamine,dipalmitamidopropyl hydroxypropylamine, dilauramidopropyl amine,dilauramidopropyl methylamine, dilauramidopropyl buylamine,dilauramidopropyl hydroxyethylamine, dilauramidopropylhydroxypropylamine, distearamidopropyl amine, distearamidopropylmethylamine, dibehenamidopropyl propylamine, dibehenamidopropylhydroxyethylamine, palmitoamidopropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride,stearamidopropyl trimethylammonium chloride, behenamidopropyl trihydroxyethalmonium chloride, distearylamidopropyl dimethyl ammoniumchloride, dicetylamidodihydroxyethyl ammonium chloride, palmitoylpropylamine, palmitoylpropyl methylamine, palmitoylpropyl diethylamine,palmitoylpropyl dibutylamine, palmitoylpropyl buylamine, palmitoylpropyldipropylamine, palmitoylpropyl propylamine, palmitoylpropyldihydroxyethylamine, palmitoylpropyl hydroxyethylamine, palmitoylpropyldihydroxypropylamine, palmitoylpropyl hydroxypropylamine,myristoylpropyl amine, myristoylpropyl methylamine, myristoylpropyldiethylamine, myristoylpropyl dibutylamine, myristoylpropyl buylamine,myristoylpropyl dipropylamine, myristoylpropyl propylamine,myristoylpropyl dihydroxyethylamine, myristoylpropyl hydroxyethylamine,myristoylpropyl dihydroxypropylamine, myristoylpropylhydroxypropylamine, stearoylpropyl amine, stearoylpropyl methylamine,stearoylpropyl diethylamine, stearoylpropyl dibutylamine, stearoylpropylbutylamine, stearoylpropyl dipropylamine, behenylpropyl propylamine,behenylpropyl dihydroxyethylamine, behenylpropyl hydroxyethylamine,behenylpropyl dihydroxypropylamine, behenylpropyl hydroxypropylamine,behenylpropyl amine, behenylpropyl methylamine, behenylpropyldiethylamine, behenylpropyl dibutylamine, behenylpropyl butylamine,behenylpropyl dipropylamine, behenylpropyl propylamine, behenylpropyldihydroxyethylamine, behenylpropyl hydroxyethylamine, behenylpropyldihydroxypropylamine, behenylpropyl hydroxypropylamine,dipalmitoylpropyl methylamine, dipalmitoylpropyl ethylamine,dipalmitylpropyl butylamine, dipalmitylpropyl propylamine,dipalmitylpropyl hydroxyethylamine, dipalmitylpropyl hydroxypropylamine,dilauroylpropyl amine, dilauroylpropyl methylamine, dilauroylpropylbuylamine, dilauroylpropyl hydroxyethylamine, dilauroylpropylhydroxypropylamine, distearylpropyl amine, distearylpropyl methylamine,dibehenylpropyl propylamine, dibehenylpropyl hydroxyethylamine,palmitylpropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, stearylpropyltrimethylammonium chloride, behenylpropyl tri hydroxyethalmoniumchloride, distearylpropyl dimethyl ammonium chloride,dicetyldihydroxyethyl ammonium chloride, dioleoylethylhydroxyethylmoniummethosulfate, dicocoylethylhydroxyethylmonium methosulfate,cetyltrimethyl ammonium chloride, steartrimonium chloride,behentrimonium chloride, myristyltrimethyl ammonium chloride,distearyldimethyl ammonium chloride, and dibehenyldimethyl ammoniumchloride.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, composition A and/orB comprises at least one fatty acid soap. In principal any fatty acidsoap is suitable, however, preferred fatty acid soaps are sodium andpotassium soaps. The fatty acid may be saturated or unsaturated,branched or straight and substituted or unsubstituted. Non-limitingsuitable examples are soaps and especially sodium and/or potassium soapsof lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearicacid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, behenic acid, capricacid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, isostearic acid and ricinoleic acidas well as the ones obtained from native oils such as olive acid, cornacid, palm acid, rapeseed acid etc. Preferred are soaps of myristicacid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid,linoleic acid and ricinoleic acid and especially sodium and/or potassiumsoaps. More preferred are soaps of palmitoleic acid, oleic acid,linoleic acid and ricinoleic acid and the most preferred are soaps ofoleic and linoleic acids.

Concentration of fatty acid soap varies between 0.1 and 20% preferably0.2 and 15, more preferably 2 and 12.5 and most preferably 5 to 10% byweight calculated to the total of composition A or B.

Composition A and/or B may further comprise one or more fatty alcohol ofthe general formula

R₁₃—OH

wherein R₁₃ is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated,substituted or unsubstitited alkyl chain with 12 to 22C atoms.

Suitable fatty alcohols are myristyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, stearylalcohol and behenyl alcohol and their mixtures. Most preferred is themixture of cetyl and stearyl alcohol also known as cetearyl alcohol.

The concentration of one or more fatty alcohols is in the range of 0.1to 5%, preferably 0.2 to 3.5%, more preferably 0.2 to 2.5% and mostpreferably 0.5 to 2% by weight calculated to total of composition A orB.

The composition A and/or B, and especially composition B comprisesfurther hair-conditioning agents. Conditioning agents can be selectedfrom oily substances, non-ionic substances, cationic and/or cationizableamphiphilic ingredients, cationic polymers, amphoteric polymers or theirmixtures.

Oily substances are selected from such as silicone oils, either volatileor non-volatile, natural and synthetic oils. Among silicone oils thosecan be added to the compositions include dimethicone, dimethiconol,polydimethylsiloxane, DC fluid ranges from Dow Corning, as well asaminated silicones such as amodimethicone, aminopropyl phenyltrimethicone; arylated silicones with one to 5 phenyl groups in itsmolecule such as trimethylpentaphenyl trisiloxane, phenyl trimethicone,triphenly trimethicone and cyclic siloxanes such as cyclomethicone,cyclotrisiloxane, cyclopentasilioxane, cycloheptasiloxane andcyclotrisiloxane. Natural oils such as olive oil, almond oil, avocadooil, wheatgerm oil and ricinus oil can be included as conditioningagents in the composition A and/or B.

Synthetic oils can be included in composition A and/or B as conditioningagent such as mineral oil, alkyl esters of fatty acids such as isopropylmyristate, palmitate, stearate and isostearate, oleyl oleate, isocetylstearate, hexyl laurate, dibutyl adipate, dioctyl adipate, myristylmyristate and oleyl erucate.

Further conditioning agents may be polyols such as glycerin, glycol andderivatives, polyethyleneglycoles known with trade names Carbowax PEGfrom Union Carbide and Polyox WSR range from Amerchol, polyglycerin,polyethyleneglycol mono or di fatty acid esters having general formula

R₂₈ CO(O CH₂ CH₂)_(n) OH or

R₂₈ CO(O CH₂ CH₂)_(n) O OC R₂₉

where R₂₈ and R₂₉ are independent from each other saturated, unsaturatedor branched or non-branched alkyl chain with 7 to 21C atoms and n istypically 2-100.

Additionally composition A and/or B comprises one or more cationicpolymers as conditioning agents. Suitable cationic polymers are those ofknown with their CTFA category name Polyquaternium. Typical examples ofthose Polyquaternium 6, Polyquaternium 7, Polyquaternium 10,Polyquaternium 11, Polyquaternium 16, Polyquaternium 28, Polyquaternium70, Polyquaternium 67, and Polyquaternium 87. Preferred arePolyquaternium 6 and 7, polyquaternium 10 and especiallypolyquaternium-7.

The cationic polymers also include the quaternized products of graftpolymers from organopolysiloxanes and polyethyl oxazolines described inEP-A 524 612 and EP-A 640 643.

Additionally, composition A and/or B comprises at least one amphotericpolymer. Non-limiting suitable and preferred examples arePolyquaterinium-22, Polyquaterinium-35, Polyquaterinium-39,Polyquaterinium-30 and Polyquaterinium-45. The more preferred arePolyquaterinium-39 and Polyquaterinium-22 and the most preferred isPoyquaternium-22.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention,composition A and/or B comprise at least one cationic polymer, at leastone amphoteric polymer and at least one silicone compound as theconditioning agents.

The composition A and/or B according to the invention may also comprisefurther conditioning substances such as protein hydrolyzates andpolypeptides, e.g., keratin hydrolyzates, collagen hydrolyzates of thetype “Nutrilan®” or elastin hydrolyzates, as well as also in particularplant protein hydrolyzates, optionally, cationized protein hydrolyzates,e.g., “Gluadin®”.

Additional natural plant extracts can as well form part of thecompositions A and/or B of the present invention. Those are incorporatedusually in an amount of about 0.01% to about 10%, preferably 0.05% to7.5%, in particular 0.1% to 5% by weight, calculated as dry residuethereof to the total composition. Suitable aqueous (e.g.steam-distilled) alcoholic or hydro-alcoholic plant extracts known perse are in particular extracts from leaves, fruits, blossoms, roots,rinds or stems of aloe, pineapple, artichoke, arnica, avocado, valerian,bamboo, green tea, blue lotus flower, henbane, birch, stinging nettle,echinacea, ivy, wild angelica, gentian, ferns, pine needles, silverweed, ginseng, broom, oat, rose hip, hamamelis, hay flowers, elderberry,hop, coltsfoot, currants, chamomile, carrots, chestnuts, clover, burrroot, cocoanut, cornflower, lime blossom, lily of the valley, marinealgae, balm, mistletoe, passion flower, ratanhia, marigold, rosemary,horse chestnut, pink hawthorn, sage, horsetail, yarrow, primrose,nettle, thyme, walnut, wine leaves, white hawthorn, etc.

Suitable trade products are, for example, the various “Extrapone”products and “Herbasol®”. Extracts and the preparation thereof are alsodescribed in “Hagers Handbuch der pharmazeutischen Praxis”, 4^(th) Ed.

The composition B can comprise one or more organic solvents such asethanol, propanol, isopropanol, benzyl alcohol, benzyloxyethanol,alkylene carbonates such as ethylene carbonate and propylene carbonate,phenoxyethanol, butanol, isobutanol, cyclohexane, cyclohexanol,hexyleneglycol, ethylenecarbonate, ethyleneglycol monoethylether,ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol monophenyl ether,1-phenylethylalcohol, 2-phenylethylalcohol, o-methoxyphenol.Concentration of organic solvent can be in the range of 1 to 10%,preferably 1 to 7.5% by weight, calculated to total of composition B.

Composition B can comprise UV filters for protection of hair fromenvironmental influences such as loss of elasticity, loss of hair colour(bleaching effect of sun light). The UV-absorbing substance ispreferably selected from the following compounds: 4-Aminobenzoic acidand the esters and salts thereof, 2-phenyl benzimidazole-5-sulfonic acidand the alkali and amine salts thereof, 4-dimethyl aminobenzoic acid andthe esters and salts thereof, cinnamic acid and the esters and saltsthereof, 4-methoxycinnamic acid and the esters and salts thereof,salicylic acid and the esters and salts thereof,2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone, 2,2′,4,4′-tetrahydroxy-benzophenone,2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone and its 5-sulfonic acid or the sodiumsalt thereof, 2,2′-dihydroxy-4,4′-dimethoxybenzophenone,2-hydroxy-5-chlorobenzophenone, 2,2′-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone,2,2′-dihydroxy-4,4′-dimethoxy-5,5′-disulfobenzo-phenone or the sodiumsalt thereof, 2-hydroxy-4-octyloxybenzophenone,2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-4′-methylbenzophenone, 3-benzyl-idenecampher,3-(4′-sulfo)-benzyl-idenebornane-2-one and the salts thereof and/or3-(4′-methyl benzylidene)-DL-campher, polysilicone-15. The preferredamount of the UV-absorber ranges from about 0.01% to 2.5%, morepreferably from 0.05% to 1% by weight, calculated to the total ofcomposition B.

It should be noted that for levelling hair colour within the meaning ofthe present invention, hair dyes are not required, especially when thisis done on a previously partly or as a whole bleached hair.

On the other hand, in principal any kind of hair dye may be included inthe compositions of the present invention.

One or more oxidative dye precursors can be comprised in composition Bin case the leveling process is carried out on a lighter coloured hair.On the other hand, oxidative dye precursors may also be used if suchleveling process is carried out for previously bleached hair dependingon the target colour direction, warmer colours including more of goldenand red tones as well as cooler tones including ash, matt and violettones may require use of oxidative dye precursors. It should be notedthat leveling is carried out in the absence and as well in the presenceof oxidative dye precursors. Suitable oxidative dyestuffs precursors, ifrequired, are tetraaminopyrimidines, in particular2,4,5,6-tetraaminopyrimidine and the lower alkyl derivatives thereof;suitable triaminohydroxypyrimidines are, for example4-hydroxy-2,5,6-triaminopyrimidine, 2-hydroxy-4,5,6-triaminopyrimidineand 5-hydroxy-2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine; suitable mono- and diaminodihydroxypyrimidines are, for example,2,6-dihydroxy-4,5-diaminopyrimidine, 2,4-diamino-6-hydroxy-pyrimidine or4,6-dihydroxy-2,5-diaminopyrimidine or the water-soluble salts thereof,aminophenol derivatives such as 4-aminophenol, 4-amino-3-methylphenol,2-chloro-4-aminophenol, 2,6-dichloro-4-aminophenol, 2,4-diamino-phenol,2,6-dibromo-4-aminophenol and/or 2-aminophenol and water-soluble saltsthereof, furthermore, phenylenedimanine derivatives such as2,5-diamino-toluene, 2-n-propyl or 2-ethyl-p-phenylene-diamine,2,6-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine, 2-(2,5-diaminophenyl)ethanol,1-amino-4-bis-(2′-hydroxy-ethyl)aminobenzene, 2-(2-hydroxyethylamino)-5-aminotoluene, 4,4′-diaminodiphenylamine, 4-aminodiphenylamine,2-amino-5-N,N-diethyl aminotoluene, 4-amino-N-ethyl-N-isopropyl aniline,2-chloro-p-phenylenediamine,1-β-hydroxyethyl-2,5-diamino-4-chlorobenzene,1-β-hydroxyethyl-2,5-diamino-4-methyl benzene,2-methoxy-p-phenylenediamine, N,N-diethyl-p-phenylenediamine,1-amino-4-β-methoxyethyl aminobenzene, 1-dimethyl-amino-4-aminobenzene,1-hydroxy-2,5-diamino-4-methyl benzene,1-hydroxymethyl-2,5-diaminobenzene, 1,3-dimethyl-2,5-diaminobenzene,1,4-diamino isopropyl benzene and/or 1-amino-4-β-hydroxypropylaminobenzene or the water-soluble salts thereof, pyrazole derivativessuch as 1-hydroxyethyl-4,5-diaminopyrazole,3,4-diamino-5-hydroxypyrazole, 3,5-diaminopyrazole, 3,5-diaminopyrazol-1-carboxamide, 3-amino-5-hydroxypyrazole,1-phenyl-2-methylpyrazole, 1-phenyl-3-methylpyrazole-5-one,3,5-dimethylpyrazole, 3,5-dimethylpyrazole-1-methanol,1-methyl-4,5-diaminopyrazole, 1-methylethyl-4,5-diaminopyrazole,1-phenylmethyl-4,5-diaminopyrazole, 1-methyl-4,5-diaminopyrazole,1-(4-methylphenyl)methyl-4,5-diaminopyrazole,1-methyl-3-phenyl-4,5-diaminopyrazole and the water-soluble salts. Theuse of the above mentioned oxidative dye precursors as mixture is alsocustomary in hair coloring area.

The total concentration of the oxidation dyestuff precursors and/ortheir water soluble salts if required may vary between 0.0001% and 1%,preferably 0.001% and 1%, in particular 0.001% to 0.5% by weight,calculated to the total of composition B.

The composition B may as well comprise in addition to the oxidative dyeprecursors at least one coupling substance, which can be selected fromresorcinol, 2-methyl resorcinol, 4-chlororesorcinol,2-amino-4-chlorophenol, 5-amino-4-methoxy-2-methylphenol,3-amino-phenol, 1-methyl-2-hydroxy-4-aminobenzene, 3-N,N-dimethylaminophenol, 2,6-dihydroxy-3,5-dimethoxypyridine,5-amino-3-methylphenol, 6-amino-3-methylphenol,3-amino-2-methylamino-6-methoxypyridine, 2-amino-3-hydroxy-pyridine,2-dimethyl-amino-5-aminopyridine, 2,6-diaminopyridine,1,3-diamino-benzene, 1-amino-3-(2′-hy-droxyethylamino)benzene,1-amino-3-[bis(2′-hydroxy-ethyl)amino]benzene, α-naphthol,4,6-dichlororesorcinol, 1,3-diamino-toluene, 1-hydroxy naphthalene,4-hydroxy-1,2-methylenedioxy benzene, 1,5-dihydroxy naphthalene,1,6-dihydroxy naphthalene, 1,7-dihydroxy naphthalene, 2,7-dihydroxynaphthalene, 1-hydroxy-2-methyl naphthalene, 4-hydroxy-1,2-methyldioxybenzene, 2,4-diamino-3-chlorophenol, 5-amino-2-methoxyphenol and/or1-methoxy-2-amino-4-(2′-hydroxyethyl amino)benzene or the water-solublesalts thereof. However, this shall not exclude the addition of furtherdeveloping and coupling substances. In case oxidative dye precursors areused, preferably composition B comprises additionally at least onecoupling agent.

The concentration of coupling substances is customarily adjusted to theconcentration of developing, oxidative dye precursor, substances.

The composition B can further comprise additionally direct dyes ofneutral, cationic and anionic character. Some examples to suitablecationic dyes are Basic Blue 6, Basic Blue 7, Basic Blue 9, Basic Blue26, Basic Blue 41, Basic Blue 99, Basic Brown 4, Basic Brown 16, BasicBrown 17, Natural Brown 7, Basic Green 1, Basic Red 2, Basic Red 12Basic Red 22, Basic Red 51, Basic Red 76, Basic Violet 1, Basic Violet2, Basic Violet 3, Basic Violet 10, Basic Violet 14 and Basic Yellow 57.According to the invention, suitable cationic dyestuffs are in principalthose any available on the market for cosmetic hair colouringapplications. For this purpose, special reference is made to the PCTapplication WO 95/15144 of Ciba-Geigy AG. The content of the PCTapplication WO 95/15144 is by reference incorporated here.

Examples to suitable direct acting anionic dyes are Acid Black 1, AcidBlue 1, Acid Blue 3, Food Blue 5, Acid Blue 7, Acid Blue 9, Acid Blue74, Acid Orange 3, Acid Orange 6, Acid Orange 7, Acid Orange 10, AcidRed 1, Acid Red 14, Acid Red 18, Acid Red 27, Acid Red 50, Acid Red 52,Acid Red 73, Acid Red 87, Acid Red 88, Acid Red 92, Acid Red 155, AcidRed 180, Acid Violet 9, Acid Violet 43, Acid Violet 49, Acid Yellow 1,Acid Yellow 23, Acid Yellow 3, Food Yellow No. 8, D&C Brown No. 1, D&CGreen No. 5, D&C Green No. 8, D&C Orange No. 4, D&C Orange No. 10, D&COrange No. 11, D&C Red No. 21, D&C Red No. 27, D&C Red No. 33, D&CViolet 2, D&C Yellow No. 7, D&C Yellow No. 8, D&C Yellow No. 10, FD&CRed 2, FD&C Red 40, FD&C Red No. 4, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Blue 1, FoodBlack 1, Food Black 2, Disperse Black 9 and Disperse Violet 1 and theiralkali metal salts such as sodium, potassium.

Some examples to those suitable neutral dyes (HC dyes), so called nitrodyes, are HC Blue No.2, HC Blue No.4, HC Blue No.5, HC Blue No.6, HCBlue No.7, HC Blue No.8, HC Blue No.9, HC Blue No.10, HC Blue No.11, HCBlue No.12, HC Blue No.13, HC Brown No.1, HC Brown No.2, HC Green No.1,HC Orange No.1, HC Orange No.2, HC Orange No.3, HC Orange No.5, HC RedBN, HC Red No.1, HC Red No.3, HC Red No.7, HC Red No.8, HC Red No.9, HCRed No.10, HC Red No.11, HC Red No.13, HC Red No.54, HC Red No.14, HCViolet BS, HC Violet No.1, HC Violet No.2, HC Yellow No.2, HC YellowNo.4, HC Yellow No.5, HC Yellow No.6, HC Yellow No.7, HC Yellow No.8, HCYellow No.9, HC Yellow No.10, HC Yellow No.11, HC Yellow No.12, HCYellow No.13, HC Yellow No.14, HC Yellow No.15,2-Amino-6-chloro-4-nitrophenol, picramic acid,1,2-Diamino-4-nitrobenzol, 1,4-Diamino-2-nitrobenzol,3-Nitro-4-aminophenol, 1-Hydroxy-2-amino-3-nitrobenzol and2-hydroxyethylpicramic acid.

Concentration of direct dyes in the composition B is in the range of0.001 to 1%, preferably 0.002 to 0.75%, more preferably 0.005 to 0.5% byweight calculated to total of the composition B.

The composition A and/or B may further comprise an organopolysiloxanewherein at least one silicon atom is linked to an alkylene group havinga hetero-atom, in particular a nitrogen atom, with a poly-(N-acylalkyleneimine) units of the formula

wherein n is a number from 1 to 5 and R₃₀ is hydrogen, a C₁-C₁₂-alkyl orcycloalkyl, aralkyl or aryl group.

Preferred organopolysiloxane polymers are those of the type disclosed inEP-A 640 643, in particular optionally quaternized aminoalkyl, inparticular aminopropyl dimethyl polysiloxane/polyethyl oxazolinecopolymers of the formula

wherein m and n each are numbers from 20 to 10,000, in particular 50 to7,000, especially 100 to 5,000, x is a number between 1 and 5,preferably 3, and y is a number from 5 to 30, R₃₁ is a C₁-C₁₂-alkyl oraryl group, in particular a methyl, ethyl or benzyl group, and Y⁻ is ananion.

Especially suited are the organopolysiloxanes disclosed under the termsA-1, A-2 and A-3 on pages 12 to 13 of EP-A 640 643. The proportion ofgraft copolymers in the hair colouring compositions according to theinvention ranges from 0.05% to 5%, preferably 0.1% to 2.5%, inparticular 0.5% to 1.5% by weight, calculated to the total composition.

Another compound that may be comprised in composition A and/or Bcomprising is a ceramide according to the general formula

wherein R₃₂ and R₃₃ are independent from each other alkyl- or alkenylgroup with 10 to 22 carbon atoms, R₃₄ is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl orisopropyl group and n is a number between 1 to 6, preferably 2 or 3. Theconcentration of the ceramide type of compound in colouring compositionsof the present invention can be in the range of 0.01 to 2 and especially0.01 to 1% by weight calculated to the total composition.

Preferred ceramide compound is cetyl-PG-hydroxyethylpalmitamide.

Sterols, especially the phytosterols, may as well be comprised inComposition B. Suitable ones are especially of plant origin for exampleergosterol, sitosterol, stigmasterol, fucosterol, brassicasterol,fungisterol, campesterol, zymosterol, ascosterol, cerevisterol,episterol, faecosterol, spinasterol.

The concentration of ceramide may be in the range of 0.01 to 2% andphytosterol may be comprised in the range of 0.01 to 0.5% by weightcalculated to the total of composition B.

The compositions A and/or B may further comprise one or more ubiquinoneof the formula

wherein n is a number from 1 to 10. The concentration of ubichinones inthe compositions of the present invention can vary between 0.001% and10% by weight, calculated to the total composition excluding theoxidizing agent.

The composition B of the present invention may comprise compounds foraccelerating (catalysts) the oxidative dyeing keratin fibres such asiodine salts i.e. potassium or sodium iodide and/or dihydroxy acetone.

Further compositions A and/or B can comprise yogurt powder at aconcentration of 0.01 to 5% by weight calculated to total of thecompositions A or B, which is a raw material prepared by spray drying ofnatural yoghurt after completion of fermentation. Yogurt powdercomprises the following major components:

-   -   approximately 53.5% lactose,    -   approximately 25% proteins,    -   approximately 7.5% lactic acid,    -   approximately 5% minerals and trace elements,    -   approximately 1% vitamines, and    -   approximately 2% lipids.

Composition A and/or B may comprise at least one diamide compound.Preferred diamide compounds are according to the general structure

wherein R₃₅ is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkylchain with 1 to 12 C atoms which may be substituted with hydroxy and/oralkoxy groups, preferably R₃₅ is linear or branched, saturated orunsaturated alkyl chain with 1 to 12C atoms which may be substituted by1 to 3 substituents selected from a hydroxy group and C1 to C6 alkoxygroup, more preferably R₃₅ is a unsubstituted alkyl group with 1 to 12Catoms, and alkyl group with 2 to 12C atoms substituted by one or twohydroxyl groups, by one alkoxy group with 1 to 6C atoms or by onehydroxyl and one alkoxy group with 2 to 6C atoms, R₃₆ is linear orbranched alkyl chain with 1 to 5C atoms, preferably linear or branchedalkyl chain with 2 to 5C atoms and more preferably an alkyl chain with 2to 3C atoms, and R₃₇ linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkylchain with 1 to 22C atoms, preferably linear or branched, saturated orunsaturated alkyl chain with 11 to 22C atoms.

Preferred individual diamide compounds are the ones according to theformula A to G.

Particularly preferred diamide compound is the compound F which isbis(methoxypropylamido)isodocosane and commercially available from KaoCorporation—Japan.

Concentration of diamide compounds in the compositions A and/or B of thepresent invention is in the range of 0.001 to 5%, preferably 0.002 to 3%more preferably 0.005 to 2% and most preferably 0.01 to 1% by weightcalculated to total of the compositions A or B.

Compositions A and/or B may further comprise particulate matter such assynthetic mica. Use of synthetic mica coated with metal oxide or oxidesmainly in decorative cosmetics is disclosed in an international patentapplication of Sun Chemical Corporation published with a number WO2005/065632 A1. In the document synthetic mica and coated synthetic micawith at least one metal oxide or oxides is disclosed in detail, thecontent of the document is included herewith by reference.

Suitable metal oxide or oxides for coating synthetic mica are titaniumdioxide, chromium oxide, ferric oxide or mixtures thereof. In thepresent invention the preferred is synthetic mica coated with titaniumdioxide. Such materials are commercially available from Sun ChemicalCorporation and are known with their INCI names SyntheticFluorphologopite.

The particle size distribution of synthetic mica coated with a metaloxide or oxides is in the range of 1 to 750 μm, preferably 1 to 250 μm,more preferably 1 to 100 μm and most preferably 20 to 95 μm. Theparticle sizes referred are relating to the volume particle sizedistribution meaning that particles found in the coated synthetic micahaving volume particle size in the given ranges.

Concentration of synthetic mica coated with at least metal oxide oroxides is from 0.001 to 10%, preferably 0.05 to 7.5%, more preferably0.1 to 5% and most preferably 0.25 to 2.5% by weight calculated to totalof the compositions A or B.

Composition A and/or B may further comprise one or more dipeptide.Non-limiting examples to the suitable dipeptides are the onescommercially available and known with their INCI name as Dipeptide-1,Dipeptide-2, Dipeptide-3, Dipeptide-4, Dipeptide-5, Dipeptide-6,Dipeptide-7, Dipeptide-8, and carnosine. The most preferred is carnosineand is containing R-alanin and L-histidine.

Concentration of at least one dipeptide is in the range of 0.01 to 5%,preferably 0.05 to 3% and more preferably 0.1 to 2.5% and mostpreferably 0.2 to 1.5% by weight calculated to the total of thecompositions A or B.

Composition A comprises at least one oxidizing agent, preferably at aconcentration of at least 0.5% by weight calculated to total ofcomposition A, preferably between 1 and 12% and more preferably 1 and 9%and most preferably 2 and 6% and in particular 2 to 3% by weightcalculated to total of composition A.

In principal any oxidizing agent is suitable such as hydrogen peroxide,urea peroxide, melamine peroxide and perborate salts. The most preferredis hydrogen peroxide. Composition A can further comprise ingredientscommonly used in compositions comprising oxidizing agents such asstabilizers for peroxide compounds such as phenacetin, salicylic acid,chelating agents such as etidronic acid, EDTA and/or their salts,organic or inorganic acids such as phosphoric acid, lactic acid, foradjusting pH, surfactants in order to increase miscibility andsolubilising aid for water insoluble and/or sparingly soluble substancessuch as fragrances and anti-foaming agents such as silicone compounds.

Compositions A and B are mixed at a weight ratio of Composition A toComposition B in the range between 5:1 and 1:5, preferably between 3:1and 1:3, more preferably between 2:1 and 1:2, and most preferablybetween 2:1 and 1:1. pH of the composition thus obtained and ready touse is in the range between 5 and 12, preferably between 6 and 11, morepreferably between 6.5 and 11 most preferably between 8 and 10.5.

Any commercially available foamer vessels are suitable for the method ofthe present invention. Preferred are squeeze foamers which are disclosedin a published patent application EP 1 470 812 A1 and the disclosure isincluded herewith by reference.

It has further been found out that the viscosity of the compositionresulting from mixing two compositions A and B is important fordelivering the composition in the foam form. Therefore the mixturepreferably has a viscosity in the range between 1 and 2000 mPa·s.,preferably between 50 and 1500 mPa·s, more preferably between 50 and1000 mPa·s., and most preferably between 100 and 750 mPa·s. measured at20° C. with a rotation viscosimeter, preferably with a Brookfiledviscosimetre at 5 rpm with a spindle 5.

In order to achieve required viscosity in case it is necessary,inorganic salts are included in the composition A and/or B in case dueto the high surfactant content viscosity is increased. Any monovalentinorganic slats are suitable for the purposes of the present invention.Preferred are sodium chloride, sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate.Concentration of the salt is in the range of 2 to 5% by weightcalculated to total of composition A or B.

The following examples are to illustrate the invention but not limit it.

EXAMPLE 1

Composition A

% by weight Hydrogen peroxide 3.0 Sodium laureth sulphate 0.5 Phosphoricacid q.s. to pH 3.0 Phenacetin 0.1 EDTA 0.3 Water q.s. to 100

Composition B

% by weight Decyl glucoside 5.0 Sodium laureth sulfate 2.0 Potassiumoleate 0.1 Ammonium hydroxide 4.0 Water q.s. to 100

The Composition B had a pH of 10.5

The above compositions A and B were mixed at a weight ratio of 2:1 (A:B)and the ready to use composition had a pH of 9.5.

The above composition was applied to the grown natural hair having amedium blonde colour after mixing as given above onto previously lightblonde coloured hair from a squeeze foamer. The hair was colouredapproximately 6 weeks before the current leveling process. Afterprocessing of 5 min the hair was rinsed of and dried with a hair drier.

It was observed that the hair colour was more homogeneous and the colourof the re-growth area was much closer. Additionally, volunteers, 5people, were asked if they had any scalp problems during and also afterthe treatment, no negatives were mentioned. The same question was askedagain 3 days after the leveling service and no complaints were noted.

Similar results were observed with the following examples.

EXAMPLE 2

Composition A

% by weight Hydrogen peroxide 4.0 Decyl glucoside 1.0 Phosphoric acidq.s. to pH 3.0 Phenacetin 0.1 EDTA 0.3 Water q.s. to 100

Composition B

% by weight Decyl glucoside 5.0 Sodium laureth sulfate 2.0Cocamidopropyl betaine 2.0 Dimethicone 0.5 Potassium oleate 0.2Polyquaternium-7 0.2 Polyquaternium-22 0.4 Sodium chloride 4.0Monoethanolamine 4.0 Water q.s. to 100

The Composition B had a pH of 10.5

The above compositions A and B were mixed at a weight ratio of 1:1 (A:B)and the ready to use composition had a pH of 9.5.

EXAMPLE 3

Composition A

% by weight Hydrogen peroxide 4.0 Cetearyl alcohol 1.0 Ceteareth-20 0.5Phosphoric acid q.s. to pH 3.0 Phenacetin 0.1 EDTA 0.3 Water q.s. to 100

Composition B

% by weight Decyl glucoside 5.0 Sodium laureth sulfate 2.0Cocamidopropyl betaine 2.0 Dimethicone 0.5 Polyquaternium-7 0.2Polyquaternium-22 0.4 Potassium oleate 0.2 Sodium chloride 4.0p-Toluenediamine sulfate 0.06 Resorcinol 0.01 m-Aminophenol 0.01 HC Blue5 0.01 Sodium sulfit 0.3 Monoethanolamine 4.2 Water q.s. to 100

The Composition B had a pH of 10.5

The above compositions A and B were mixed at a weight ratio of 1:1 (A:B)and the ready to use composition had a pH of 9.7.

EXAMPLE 4

Composition A

% by weight Hydrogen peroxide 4.0 Cetearyl alcohol 1.0 Ceteareth-20 0.5Phosphoric acid q.s. to pH 3.0 Phenacetin 0.1 EDTA 0.3 Water q.s. to 100

Composition B

% by weight Decyl glucoside 5.0 Sodium laureth sulfate 2.0Cocamidopropyl betaine 2.0 Polyquaternium-7 0.2 Polyquaternium-22 0.4Potassium oleate 0.2 Sodium chloride 4.0 Basic red 51 0.06 Basic orange31 0.01 Basic yellow 87 0.01 HC Blue 5 0.01 Monoethanolamine 4.2 Waterq.s. to 100

The Composition B had a pH of 10.5

The above compositions A and B were mixed at a weight ratio of 1:1 (A:B)and the ready to use composition had a pH of 9.7.

1. A method of levelling colour of hair comprising at least two partswherein one part being the part not closer to scalp which isartificially colour changed to a lighter colour by means of lighteningand/or colouring and/or bleaching than the other part closer to scalpwhich is preferably undamaged and has its natural colour, wherein hairis optionally shampooed and optionally towel dried and the part directlyat the scalp is applied a composition resulting from mixing twocompositions, A and B, prior to application, compositions A is aqueouscomposition and comprises at least one oxidizing agent and has an acidicpH, and composition B is an aqueous alkaline composition and has a pHbetween 8 and 12, wherein compositions A and/or B comprise at least onesurfactant selected from non-ionic, anionic, amphoteric, cationic orcationizable ones, from a non-aerosol foamer vessel in the form of afoam and processed for up to 10 min, at a temperature between 20 and 45°C., and rinsed off from hair and hair is optionally dried.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein composition B comprises as an alkalizingagent ammonia and/or carbonate salts and/or bicarbonate salts and/orsubstituted amine compound according to general structureR₁R₂R₃N wherein R₁, R₂ and R₃ are same or different H, C₁-C₆ alkyl,C₁-C₆ monohydroxyalkyl or C₂-C₆ polyhydroxyalkyl with the condition thatat least one of R₁, R₂ and R₃ is a mono or polyhydroxyalkyl, at aconcentration between 1 and 20% by weight calculated to total ofComposition B.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein composition Aand/or B comprises at least one non-ionic surfactant, at least oneanionic surfactant preferably alkyl ether sulphate type and at least oneamphoteric surfactants.
 4. The method according to claim 1, whereincomposition A and/or B comprises at least one fatty acid soap.
 5. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein surfactants are comprised incompositions A and/or B at a concentration of 0.5 and 15% by weightcalculated to total of composition A or B.
 6. The method according toclaim 1, wherein composition A and/or B comprises at least one fattyalcohol.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein compositions Aand/or B comprises at least one cationic polymer.
 8. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein compositions A and/or B comprises at leastone amphoteric polymer.
 9. The method according to claim 1, whereincomposition B comprises at least one inorganic salt at a concentrationbetween 2 and 5% by weight calculated to total of composition B.
 10. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein composition B comprises at leastone oxidative dye precursor, optionally at least one coupling substanceand optionally at least one direct dye.
 11. The method according toclaim 1, wherein compositions A and B are mixed at a weight ratio of 5:1to 1:5 and the mixture has a pH between 5 and
 12. 12. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein compositions A and/or B comprises at leastone compound selected from diamide compounds, ceramides, sterols,ubichinones, yoghurt powder, dipeptide and synthetic mica coated withmetal oxide or oxides.
 13. The method according to claim 1, whereincomposition B comprises organic solvent and/or UV filter.
 14. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein composition A comprises hydrogen peroxideas an oxidizing agent at a concentration between 0.5 and 12% by weightcalculated to total of composition A.
 15. (canceled)